Holstein Canada Archives

Funding to help make cattle data gathering easier

Partnership between Angus and Holstein association will look at sharing trait information and how to automate data management

By John Greig June 19, 2024

New funding for the Canadian Angus Association and Holstein Canada will allow them to improve the data that goes into genetic evaluations and expand into new areas including carcass quality and traits that help limit the environmental impact of beef.

Two-year-old Ronbeth Jaboby Nell scored VG 85 in her latest classification, making her one of two cows from the 17th consecutive generation from that family to score in the top two classification categories nationally.

Genetics, Livestock, News

Ronbeth Holsteins mark 17 generations VG or EX

Unique honour a first in Canada

By Stew Slater April 26, 2023

Breeding acumen through collection of four Master Breeder shields from Holstein Canada is evident in a Hastings-area dairy farm, which can now celebrate the rare feat of having one of […] Read more

The National Holstein Show is usually held at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, but this year is being held in Ste. Hyacinth, Que. as the in-person Royal Fair was cancelled.

Livestock

Holstein Canada live shows sell out; livestream available

By Stew Slater November 11, 2021

Tickets sold out quickly for the scaled-down scaled-down return of its Holstein Canada’s National Red-and-White and Black-and-White shows, but the organization has pledged to provide a “top-quality livestream” for those […] Read more

Holstein are shown in the ring at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in 2018.

News

National Holstein show moves to Saint-Hyacinthe

The show was moved after the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair was cancelled again in 2021

By Stew Slater October 1, 2021

With post-COVID-19 regional shows done and more to come this fall, Holstein Canada is guardedly confident it can pull off a hybrid version of its national shows Nov. 17-20 in […] Read more

News

Holstein classifier remembered for his friendship and mentorship

A 4-H calf partnership helped the writer deal with the death of her father and create a life-long friendship

By Mel O'Shea June 4, 2021

Editor’s note: Don Aylsworth passed away May 10, just shy of his 83rd birthday. Like many Holstein Canada classifiers, he was well-known on dairy farms across the country. Mel O’Shea’s […] Read more

The major traits which will be seen as composites include mammary system, feet and legs, dairy strength and rump.

Livestock

Major dairy breeds moving to composites for bull proofs

Use of genetic scores makes new model more responsive to changes in the dairy population

By Stew Slater November 24, 2020

Lactanet Canada will move to composite indexes for major genetic traits as early as April, 2021 as it aims for a more responsive system for classifying dairy cattle. The change […] Read more

There will be some tagging differences after DairyTrace starts on Oct. 5, including changes to dairy animals destined for meat.

Livestock, News

Dairy-specific tags central to DairyTrace implementation

Developers try to minimize impacts for farmers and processors

By Matt McIntosh September 29, 2020

Canada’s dairy sector will begin reporting all cattle movements to the national database DairyTrace starting Oct. 5, but administrators say the impact on day-to-day management should be minimal. What is […] Read more

Dairy farmers have been able to evaluate various genetic indicators, but Compass brings in economic effect too.

Livestock

Software program helps understand breeding return on investment

The Compass software brings together many sources of data to help farmers make decisions

By Jennifer Glenney September 29, 2020

Verifying metrics and making sure data is correct can help dairy farmers get the most out of Compass. The dairy genetics management software, provided by Holstein Canada and Lactanet is […] Read more

Livestock, News

Dairy services gradually return to farms

Milk testing and classifying service organizations create step-by-step plans

By John Greig June 1, 2020

Dairy service providers are starting to return to farms. Most on-farm services, including animal classification, animal welfare assessment and milk testing had been suspended due to COVID-19. Why it matters: […] Read more

A small room off the milkhouse, encompassing the front of the tank, helps to limit contact with the milk truck driver at the Herrema farm at Uxbridge, northeast of Toronto. (Gerrit Herrema photo)

Livestock, Machinery

Dairy sector shuts down most visits from off-farm providers

In agriculture, dairy farms are among those most called-on by outside services

By Jennifer Glenney March 27, 2020

New additions to Gerrit Herrema’s dairy barn have made it easier for his family to abide by recent directions to avoid contact with milk truck drivers to reduce COVID-19’s spread. […] Read more